Ask any grade school child and they can tell you all about ‘Show & Tell.’ This is the time to share with your friends something you cherish and hold as very dear. It’s an exciting time because it’s about something you know very well. Something that is close to you and personally dear.
‘Show and Tell,’ however is not just a child’s activity. The child of God is also called to participate in this activity. What will you show and how much are you willing to tell about your Savior? Is your life as a Christian something you cherish and hold dear? If we’re truly excited about our walk with Christ we will ‘love to tell story’, and we’ll show Him to the world.
“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.”
I Corinthians 14:15
Sunday morning, June 23, 2013
The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.
“Blessed Be the Lord God Almighty” – 72
A beautiful hymn that is clearly directed to our God. We begin with the phrase, “Father in Heaven, how we love You…” Almost as if we’re saying a prayer this song begins our worship as we SING a prayer. Consider how we sing scripture in the last part of this song, “…the Lord God almighty, who was and is and is to come…” the words of our Lord and Savior from Revelation chapter 1, verse 8.
“We Praise Thee, O God” – 2
“Hallelujah” is derived from the Hebrew as two words; “halla”, praise and “Yah”, God. We know that but it’s good to revisit what we’re singing. Translated the chorus would read like this…”Praise God! The glory belongs to Him, Praise God! Amen…”
“There is a Sea” – 556
If you’ve never followed the message of this song read on. There is poetry within these three short verses and with a rather difficult harmony, we often skip over this old, spiritual song. In the first verse we sing about a sea that is surrounded with an abundance of natural resources and coastal nourishment; the Sea of Galilee. From it flows the Jordan river down toward the Dead Sea where the second verse of our song continues. Unlike the Galilean sea, the Dead Sea is filled with salt and, ‘lies heavy as molten lead.’ Singing the third verse we can see the application and the question is asked, “What will it be for you and me…?” Will we be like the Sea of Galilee and give out the good we have been given, or will we remain stagnate in our life and refuse to share the God-given gifts we have in life?
“Holy Bible, Book Divine” – no book
This is an old spiritual songs with the tune (meter) of another, more familiar song. We’ll replace the music William B. Bradbury gave this song in 1858 to a musical arrangement provided by J. H. Fillmore in 1877. You’ll recognize “Savior, Grant Me Rest and Peace”, but you’ll be singing, “Holy Bible, Book Divine.” This is a great opportunity to learn a new song with an old melody!
“I Love to Tell the Story” – 659
We talk about all the things we love in life, but before our lesson we’ll sing about ‘loving to tell’ the story of Jesus Christ. Do you enjoy (love) to tell about Jesus? Each of these verses are filled with the reason we should not only sing about our Savior, but look forward to telling others about Him too. Why sing about the story, because “I know ’tis (it is) true”, and because “…it means so much to me.” How can we sing this song without putting a smile on our faces?
“Lord Speak to Me” – 771
Not a typical invitation song, but when we consider showing and telling this world about Jesus Christ I couldn’t help but think of this last verse; “O fill me with Thy fulness, Lord. Until my very heart o’re (over) flow; In kindling tho’t (as an ember begins to burn and glow in our thoughts) and glowing word, Thy love to TELL, Thy praise to SHOW.” People need a Savior, let’s take Jesus for OUR show and tell!
“Thomas’ Song” – 269
An adaptation of Thomas and how he might have reacted in John 20. Notice especially verse 3 of this song. Perhaps in the upper room, when Thomas see’s Jesus for the first time since His resurrection, the poet Ken Young, writes; “Holy presence, holy face; a vision filling time and space. Your nearness makes my spirit race, could this be part of the plan?” When we are moved and emotional invested in something we have the sensation that our heart is racing. Maybe, just maybe, Thomas’ spirit was racing when he saw Jesus. Does Jesus cause your heart (spirit) to race? Though this song is man’s idea of what John might have said, felt or even thought, the text is clear as we read his final admonition, “You are my Lord and my God.” John 20:28
“Lead Me To Calvary” – 332
Between the Bread and the Fruit of the Vine we’ll sing verse 2 of this solemn reminder of Christ crucifixion. “Show me the tomb where Thou wast (was) laid…” , where angels robed in light guarded Christ ‘while He slept.’ In our minds eye we should use this time to reflect on Calvary…lest we forget.
“Ring Out the Message” – 622
“Tell the world of saving grace, make it known in every place…” The local ‘town crier’ was responsible to getting 
the message out to the community. They had the job to ‘ring the message out.’ Today, all Christians have the task to take the message to a lost community. We believe there is a message that’s true and makes the weary glad, but more importantly…it’s a message for the sinful and for the sad. We don’t have to stand on a street corner and cry out the message, but we need to be ready when it’s time for “Show & Tell”.